When we add vegetables to our budgie’s diet, what are we looking for? Many of the seed mixes used for budgies are lacking in vitamins A, C, K, and calcium, so finding produce that is rich in these nutrients can be a great boost to your budgie’s food.
Leafy greens tend to be a good choice. Most are high in vitamins and minerals, but are also high in water content and low in calories and protein. Because of this, we primarily look for greens that can help us fill our bird’s vitamin and mineral requirements in a small amount of space–in a sense, we want greens that give us the most “bang for our buck.”
Here are some suggestions that have The Budgie Academy flock’s seal of approval!
1.) Dandelion Greens
Dandelion greens are extremely nutrient-dense and can be a great addition to your budgie’s diet.
They’re an excellent source of vitamin A, which is usually very low in seed mixes. Additionally, they provide a significant amount of vitamin K, calcium, and other nutrients in smaller amounts. If you’re looking to get the most into your budgie in one item, this is a great place to start.
2.) Kale
Kale is another rich source of vitamin A precurors, vitamin K, and vitamin C. It also has a notable amount of other vitamins and minerals, including B complex vitamins, calcium, copper, and manganese. One of the great things about kale is its accessibility. It can easily be found in the produce section of almost any grocery store.
3.) Mustard Greens
Mustard greens also bring a substantial amount of vitamin A, C and K to the table. In addition, they have a notable amount of folate and the essential mineral manganese.
4.) Pea Shoots
Pea shoots, as their name suggests, come from the pea plant. While you can buy them in many grocery stores, it’s also relatively easy to grow them as microgreens from peas in your home! Pea shoots are very high in vitamin K, and also provide B vitamins, vitamin E, copper, and manganese.
5.) Collard Greens
A potent source of vitamin A precursors, collard greens are also a good source of vitamin K, folate, calcium, copper, and some B vitamins. They also contain a decent amount of manganese.
Wrapping up
Hold on! There’s still a lot more to learn about your budgie’s diet. Check out our articles on why parrots need protein and how to keep pellets fresh for as long as possible.
Don’t forget: The Budgie Academy is on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook! Join our social media flock so you don’t miss out when we post new content.